Posted 19 December 2012

PlayStation.Blog Game of the Year Awards 2012: All the winners

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The polls are closed and the votes have been tallied. Read on for the full list of PlayStation.Blog Game of the Year Awards winners as chosen by you, plus a few Editors’ Choice picks from the extended PlayStation.Blog team.

I want to thank each and every one of you for voting, debating, and commenting on our first annual awards! As predicted, the process wasn’t entirely without its hiccups, but in general I think it was a pretty good first attempt. That said, we absolutely want your feedback on next year’s awards, which will be bigger and better in many ways. Please provide your feedback in the comments – we’ll be referring to it in preparation for next year!

‘Nuff said. Read on to see the very best in PlayStation gaming for 2012 as chosen by PlayStation gamers worldwide.

Dishonored — “For my money, this was the smartest, most distinctive FPS of the year, shoehorning adult themes, nuanced characters and sophisticated gameplay mechanics into a wince-inducingly visceral campaign. Oh, and it was great to see so many primary colours too! Sequel please!”

— Fred Dutton, Manager, EU PlayStation.Blog

XCOM: Enemy Unknown — “This game scratched an itch I didn’t know I had, weaving tense turn-based firefights into a shockingly addictive management simulation. This is a refreshing and utterly fascinating game with a surprise and a delight around every corner. Highly recommended.”

Journey — “Some complained that it was too brief, but Journey’s three hours of playtime will surely live longer in the memory than almost any other release this year. This is joyful, uplifting, must-play material. And, no, there’s no shame in admitting its final moments set your bottom lip aquiver, right?”

— Fred Dutton, EU PlayStation.Blog

The Walking Dead – Episodes 1 – 5 — “Telltale’s memorable series starts small but slowly builds to towering emotional heights, culminating in what may be the greatest gaming moment of the year. This is a prime example of the narrative potential of videogames – don’t you dare miss it.”

It was close for a while, but when the dust settled there was a very clear, Drake-shaped winner. UNCHARTED: Golden Abyss deservedly takes the Platinum prize for your Vita Game of the Year. Kat and Sackboy duked it out for Gold and Silver respectively, and we also saw much love for Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward in the write-in vote.

Gravity Rush — “Feisty, flighty heroine Kat is hands-down my favourite new character of the year, and the game she’s wrapped up in is none too shabby with either. Gravity Rush is a charming adventure that did a fantastic job of showcasing the PS Vita’s considerable horsepower and versatility.”

— Nick Suttner, PlayStation Blogcast US co-host

PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale — “A tough choice, but my voracious appetite for portable pugilism ultimately tipped the scales in favour of the All-Stars. SuperBot’s slavish attention to detail shines on the OLED screen and the characters feel intoxicatingly powerful, making this a perfect choice for mobile encounters.”

While our chums in the US may have elected Sound Shapes as their winner in this category, here in EU it was all about putting pedal to the metal. Evolution Studios’ miniature racer was your Platinum winner, followed very closely indeed by Escape Plan in this hotly contested category.

Sound Shapes — “Jonathan Mak’s unique approach to game design yields one of the biggest surprises of the year: A whimsical musical platformer that whisks you away on a magical tour of five imaginative worlds, leading inexorably to a momentous meeting with Beck.”

— Sid Shuman, US PlayStation.Blog

When Vikings Attack! — “Okay, maybe I’m biased, but I found When Vikings Attack!’s bonkers Britishness impossible to resist. If there was a more satisfying mechanic in gaming in 2013 than flinging a skip at a gang of Viking invaders, I certainly wasn’t privy to it. If you’re after a hidden gem to discover this Christmas, you could do a lot, lot worse.”

— Fred Dutton, EU PlayStation.Blog

PS Mobile Game of the Year

Super Crate Box

In a surprisingly tight race with several favorites jockeying for position, Super Crate Box’s accessible, addictive formula came out on top in the PS Mobile arena. The most popular write-in vote? Lemmings.

Sixty Second Shooter

Aqua Kitty

Everybody’s Arcade

Rebel — “Super Crate Box is the easy choice, but with that well-trod I want to make sure that no one misses out on Rebel. A sort of anti-Crate Box that has you dodging falling weapons crates while turning enemies against each other, Rebel feels satisfying thanks to a brilliant reward loop of upgrades that turn time-waster into skillful navigator.”

— Nick Suttner, PlayStation Blogcast co-host

Super Crate Box — “Believe it or not, I reckon I’ve played SCB more than any game in any category. Vlambeer’s bite-sized score-attack platformer was an ingenious confection, and nailed that just-one-more-game catchiness better than any other title this year.”

Another tight race, with Sixense’s Portal 2 expansion pack beating back a potent showing from PlayStation Move favorite Sorcery and close runners-up Wonderbook: Book of Spells and Sports Champions 2, while Okami HD claimed the most write-in votes.

Datura — “Probably the best example yet of how PS Move can open up new ways to interact. Navigating the dreamlike forests of Datura from a first-person perspective using PS Move brings a hypnotic surreal quality, as well as a more tactile interface. Really cool stuff.”

— Sid Shuman, US PlayStation.Blog

PixelJunk 4am — “Sure, it’s something of an acquired taste and plays best, as advertised, in the small hours after a night on the town, but Q-Game’s music plaything really got its hooks in me over the summer. If you like your digital entertainment arty, freeform and very, very bleepy, this one’s for you.”

— Fred Dutton, EU PlayStation.Blog

Most Anticipated PS3 Game

The Last of Us

Despite powerful resistance from Grand Theft Auto 5, Naughty Dog’s highly anticipated post-apocalyptic journey The Last of Us claimed the coveted Platinum prize. Bronze winner BioShock Infinite topped Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch by just a handful of votes, while Namco Bandai’s RPG Tales of Xillia earned the most write-in votes.

Grand Theft Auto 5

BioShock Infinite

God of War: Ascension

Puppeteer — “A close call between this and BioShock, but my innate predisposition towards anything involving 2D visuals, running, and jumping won through. Japan Studios’ lovely platformer is a true feast for the senses, shot through with a delightfully dark sense of humor and A-grade character design. One to watch out for.”

— Fred Dutton, EU PlayStation.Blog

The Last of Us — “An agonizing decision, but (sorry BioShock Infinite) I’m putting my money on Naughty Dog. I’m drawn to the game’s suffocating atmosphere of hopelessness, but I’m also dying to learn more about the fragile relationship between innocent Ellie and world-weary Joel. Fingers crossed that Naughty Dog pulls off something extraordinary here.”

Soul Sacrifice — “Inafune’s dark fantasy promises to bring some serious emotional gravity to the co-op battlefields, such as tragic boss monsters that beg for mercy and an alarming array of life-or-death choices. I’m particularly drawn to the grim, almost grotesque art style.”

— Sid Shuman, US PlayStation.Blog

Tearaway — “Can’t wait. Expect wild innovation, free-wheeling creativity and charm in abundance. If you don’t covet a PS Vita now, just wait until this one lands on shelves.”

Was a close call for me between AC3, Far cry 3 and Dishonored. Picked AC3 because of their effort to introduce a new engine this late in this generation. Most anticipated was a hard choice between GTA5 and Last of us, and I picked the first.

The only one I agree with is Motorstorm as GOTY for Vita download, and possibly TLOU (it is a joint top for me).AC:3 was a huge disappointment to me!The Unfinished Swan should have been 2nd on Vita downloads too, with LBP Vita first for vita and Gravity Rush second..this is all my opinion though.

The Last of Us and Assassin’s creed 3 both got the plat!! No surprises there. It was expected! :D

So Fred you voted for Dishonored? What place did it come in? And what about Watchdog and Beyond two souls?

Has anyone voted for Final Fantasy X HD or any other Final Fantasy games? I thought about selecting ‘other’ and type in Final Fantasy X HD but then again there is no news if it is even coming out in 2013

WOW,i never though Sly Cooper thieves in time would make it!But I personally think that a Silver throphy isn’t enough.But it isn’t me to judge that,i’m really happy to see him in the list :) also Uncharted Golden abyss was already sure about it when i bought it,also i have played gravity rush and AC3L and they are good games also I’m curious how it feels to play Killzone mercenary,maybe my next Vita game,if you don’t count Sly Cooper Thieves in time on psvita that comes with PS3 version.

Also now that i’m talking about Sly Cooper,when is the demo coming?Sanzaru Games said somewhere in january,but a real date would be fine :) after all we still need to wait 50 more days than the US,something that’s SOOOO stupid.

Justice prevails…Golden Abyss was a triumph of a game. The fact it was on a handheld was even more amazing. Other portable devices can only dream of running a quality title like that.

Bit gutted that Ni No Kuni didn’t get an honorary mention anywhere in the anticipated section for 2013. Considering that exclusive JRPGs are so few and far between on the PS3 (especially of this caliber) this is going to be a breath of fresh air next year. 8-)

Please may you discount some PSP and PS1 classics for use on my Vita? It’s Christmas, come on. In addition, the PsV has had little discounted content so this would be the perfect make-up towards us Vita owners. Remember PS1 classics to be discounted, please.

Wait this is different from the US version. Persona 4 Golden got the Gold award not Gravity Rush. What’s going on? Is it cause that game hasnt been released over here yet? Cause if not then this voting is the worldwide vote is it?

Whilst I don’t agree with all choices here, it’s a very fair list. Gutted Dishonored wasn’t a fan-favourite but that’s the way the votes ran. Overall, I think PSN has given out the most important titles this year rather than blu-ray. Catherine was an exceptional delight from the latter. Next year seems to be shaping up to bring the strength back to blu-ray. Gamers won’t lose either way.

Journey was the best and unique game experience for me this year. All this shooters and adventures can’t compare with it.But this year is sucks on games. Next will be great… or even better than “great”. The Last of Us, Beyond, God of War, Bayonetta 2 (Wii U), Monster Hunter (Wii U), Metal Gear Revengeance, GTA 5, Bioshock Infinite, Tomb Rider and many other titles.I don’t know where to find a time to play all this, but… SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!

hi there..based on the awards and winners mentioned above i’ve decided to buy motorstorm rc complete edition..on my ps3 i’ve got the full game but on my vita it shows trial and the motorstorm logo still has that key and lock..since this is a cross buy it shouldnt really b happening ryt??how do i unlock it??thanks

@catkiller1ikr?..i voted for beyond i’m surprised it didn’t even get a look in.but to be fair people are talking more about last of us cause nd are releasing more info about the game. both going to be day one purchases for me anyway. =D

people who voted ac3 game of the year i think must not have played the other games in the series, it’s the worst one out of all of them (worse than ac1?…debatable =P). i don’t care about assassin’s creed anymore. i was really disappointed with it..

@And-12345Do you really hate it that much? Maybe the reason why Tearaway never made it to the top because it isn’t as popular as you wanted it to be. Not everyone has the same taste in games as you do. No-matter how much you dislike that list, they clearly are the more popular games if they make it to the top.